Author Archive
Five Red Flags for a “Self” or “Indie” Publisher and Author
How to Avoid the Love, Prey, Eat Author Syndrome
Lesson #1 for all authors-to-be … Don’t rush to publish. Lesson #2 for all authors-to-be … Don’t rush to publish. Lesson #3 for all authors-to-be … Don’t rush to publish.
Do your homework. Authors must watch out for the unscrupulous types who prey on unsuspecting authors in the making who are so eager to see their work out there that they get trapped by the publishing predators.
Fact: If you are not the publisher, meaning that it’s not your publishing company’s name as the imprint, you have not self-published. Self means “self”. “Indie” means independent.
Fact: If you have to purchase your own books from a “self-publishing” company, you have not self or indie published. Publishers purchase books from a printing company, whether it’s POD or offset.
Fact: If you receive a “royalty” from a “self-publishing” company, you have not self or indie published. If you self/indie …
Publishing Predator Author Solutions in Class Action Lawsuit
The favorite sound of every publishing predator is: Cha-king … Cha-king … Cha-king
Author Solutions tentacles are massive. AuthorHouse is its flagship brand. Then there is Xlibris and iUniverse and Trafford Publishing and Booktango and Palibrio and those expanding “strategic partnerships” with Balboa Press (Hay House) | Archway Publishing (Simon and Schuster) | WestBow Press (Thomas Nelson)| Abbott Press (Readers Digest) | Inspiring Voices (Guideposts) | LifeRich Publishing (Readers Digest) … stealthful relationships that most authors are clueless that they have engaged Author Solutions/House until the emails and calls start. 
Cha-king … Cha-king … Cha-king is filtered through the DNA of those who work for the Author Solutions empire, now owned by the Penguin Group. I wonder if the money counters at Author Solutions, also AuthorHouse and a bunch of its other branded names, truly believe that the little people—the thousands of authors who have been misled, abused, assaulted and then had the soul of their author essence literally sucked …
Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms Wins 3 National Book Awards
It’s a wahoo here in Colorado when I received word that Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (Mile High Press) won not one, but three different books awards. Last month, it was honored with the “best” in the Writing/Publishing categories from the Indie Excellence Book Awards, the International Book Awards and received the bronze from the Independent Book Publishers IPPY Awards.
As an author and publishing expert, I’ve worked with hundreds of authors and spoken to thousands. There are so many mistakes, all too common that could have been anticipated if Platforms had been developed. Every Author, every Book, needs a Platform. It’s the stage, the very foundation of your book and authoring businesses. Author and Book Platforms don’t happen overnight. They take time, and there are steps—some small, some large and some in-between—that will transition the author to-be from just an idea to a book that stars him or her as the expert or an amazing story-teller.
Platforms …
Author Ways to Support Our Troops this Memorial Day
It’s Memorial Day … most plan a day of yard work, picnics, BBQ and hanging out with family and friends. Take a moment and give thanks and honor the men and women who have died for our country. Over 1.1 million have given their lives since the American Revolution—a staggering number!
For me, my weekend started with flying our flag Friday am; spending mega hours with two authors (five each) getting them back on track, let’s face it—refocusing and recommitting is critical to author success; planting a few roses and cleaning the koi pond; seeing Star Trek into Darkness (Loved it … but couldn’t watch it in 3D … I’m now one of those who can’t handle it due to headaches and pukeyness … and thank you to AMC for letting us move to regular screening and refunding moneys.); finishing planting flower pots; getting my favorite peach ice tea … and today, the official Memorial, I sip to …
Author YOU! Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms is a Triple Book Award Winner!
I was honored with several awards—triple wins—this month for:
Author YOU! Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms is the Winner in the Writing & Publishing category of the 2013 National Indie Excellence Awards.
Author YOU! Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms is the Winner in the Writing & Publishing category of the 2013 International Book Awards.
Author YOU! Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms is the Bronze IPPY Winner in the Writing & Publishing category of the 2013 International Book Publishers Awards.
My amazing team consisted of: Nick Zelinger of NZ Grapics designed the cover and interior; Don Side created the whimsical illustrations; John Maling the editing and Georgann Hall the final cold-eye editing; and the first printing was done by Tom Campbell with King Printing—all Author U members. All shared my vision, I couldn’t have done it without them.
…
6 Twitter Tips for Happy Tweeting Trails
Reach Your Audience …
6 Quick Twitter Tips for You:
6 Quick Twitter Tips for You:
1. GET the Most Bang
Know when to Tweet and where the audiences are. According to RadiumOne, there are two peak times during the day to Tweet:
10AM to 12PM and 8PM through 10PM
That’s it, at least for now. If you want to see the most shares, with the highest click-through, you should be Tweeting from 12 noon to 2PM. Remember, Tweets are global, which means global times zones. These cover the basics and a broad span to optimize your visibility.
Of course, this content regulation changes based on where your audience is. Key point: Connect with your audience when they are online.
2. Mix It UP
Variety is the spice of life and so it goes with your Tweets. Yes you can self-promote, but your promos are at the bottom of the feeding chain. Don’t OD your followers. If you have a special event popping, do …
Authors, Judgment and Publishing Predators
What do you do when you’ve been “had” in the publishing game/maze?
Who’s the book-buster you call in?
Do you moan and groan that you’ve been screwed?
Do you spend countless hours in phone and email hell trying to get to someone who’s going to fix whatever needs fixing on your book?
Do you cave in, with book tail between your heart and soul and just slink away?
Do you make a variety of excuses as to why you are in the mess you are?
Do you ignore that you’ve been treated like a piece of yesterday’s trash?
Do you …
How about: let’s kick in “your better judgment” Do you … and get the heck out of dodge?
Stop working with the people and group that have zapped you. Just stop. Lick your wounds; you made a mistake that is costing you time, energy and money. I know, it’s the money thing that keeps people in the book …
Nonsense … or Creativity Starter?
That, Dear Watson (or Author), Is the Question!

When is nonsense “nonsense” for an author and when is it the perfect kick start to get you out of a writing rut, book marketing rut or just see something from a different perspective?

Recently, I posted a video on several of my social media sites that contained a video of 10,000 iPhones doing the domino dance. First thoughts when I viewed it: Who has time to do this? Who even thought it up? When and where in the heck did they gather up 10,000 iPhones (Apple headquarters)? How much time did this take? How many misfires were there? Etc.
After viewing, it left me with a smile and an “OK, it’s a long day ahead, I need to do some final re-writes on the For the Love of Paprika cookbook that I’m working on for/with a client; I’ve got two sets of handouts to create for speeches in the …




































